Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer for women. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 22,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, and more than 13,000 will die from it.

Ovarian cancer usually isn’t detected until it has already reached an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat. However, a new blood test is showing promise in detecting ovarian cancer much earlier, potentially saving lives.

What Is the New Blood Test?

The new blood test, called the Galleri test, was developed by the biotechnology company Grail. It is a multi-cancer early detection test that measures levels of various proteins in the blood that could be indicative of cancer.

The Galleri test is designed to detect over 50 types of cancer, including ovarian cancer.

In a recent study published in Annals of Oncology, researchers found that the Galleri test was able to detect ovarian cancer two years before traditional methods, such as imaging, would have been able to.

The study looked at over 4,000 women, 1,500 of whom had ovarian cancer. The results showed that the Galleri test was able to detect ovarian cancer with a 99.3% specificity rate and a 93.8% sensitivity rate.

How Does the Galleri Test Work?

The Galleri test works by analyzing blood samples for tiny bits of DNA that are shed by tumors as they grow.

The test looks for these bits of DNA, which are known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and measures the levels of various proteins that could be indicative of cancer.

One advantage of the Galleri test is that it is a liquid biopsy, meaning it only requires a blood sample, rather than a tissue sample. This makes it a less invasive and more convenient option for patients.

Who Should Get Tested?

The Galleri test is still undergoing clinical trials and has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for widespread use. However, if the test is approved, it could be a valuable tool for women at high risk of ovarian cancer.

Women who have a family history of ovarian cancer or have a genetic mutation, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, that increases their risk of developing the disease should consider getting tested.

The Galleri test could also be useful for women who have already been diagnosed with ovarian cancer to monitor for recurrence.

The Importance of Early Detection

The Galleri test could be a game changer in the fight against ovarian cancer. Early detection is key to improving survival rates for ovarian cancer, which currently stand at around 50%.

If ovarian cancer is detected early, before it has spread to other parts of the body, the five-year survival rate is much higher, at around 90%.

Not only could the Galleri test help detect ovarian cancer earlier, but it could also detect other types of cancer that are often asymptomatic until they have reached an advanced stage.

This could allow for earlier treatment and improved outcomes for patients.

Conclusion

The Galleri test is a promising new tool in the fight against ovarian cancer. While it is still undergoing clinical trials, the early results are very promising.

If the test is approved by the FDA, it could be a valuable tool for high-risk women and those already diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Early detection is key to improving outcomes for ovarian cancer, and the Galleri test could be a major step forward in achieving that goal.